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Texas fire service asks for more funds

The Associated Press

Posted:
01/18/2013 12:00:00 AM MST

HOUSTON -- The Texas agency responsible for fighting wildfires has asked the state Legislature for an additional $27.2 million to hire about 90 more firefighters and buy equipment as a rapidly growing population coupled with drought has increased the threat of devastating fires.

The Texas A&M Forest Service also asked the state to restore nearly $35 million in grant money to help volunteer fire departments. That money was cut during the previous legislative session in 2011, also the year of one of the most expensive wildfire seasons in state history at more than $300 million.